Right Way to Attempt the Quantitative Aptitude Section in CAT 2026

Overview: Welcome back, aspirants, to another important blog on tips directly from the IIM topper about the right way to attempt the quantitative aptitude section in CAT 2026. Read on to know the complete details!

Most aspirants will agree that the CAT QA section is the most challenging part of the exam. 

Many students struggle with the vast syllabus, the pressure to answer 22 questions in just 40 minutes, and the tough decision of which questions to tackle or skip. 

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If these sound like your concerns, you are not alone. This guide helps clarify all your questions about the QA section.

It also covers how to approach mocks, analyse your performance, and develop the right mindset for exam day.

Understanding the CAT 2026 Quantitative Aptitude Section

The Quantitative Aptitude section of the CAT exam is a 40-minute challenge with 22 questions. It is not just about memorising formulas. Instead, you must apply formulas and concepts to solve problems.

• This section is purely aptitude-based, meaning it tests your thinking skills.
• The most important part is how you use your 40 minutes. You need a smart plan to get your best possible score. First, you learn effective methods or strategies. 
• Then, you practice these strategies in your mock tests. This practice makes the strategies a habit. When you face the actual CAT exam, you will already know how to approach it. 
• This makes the exam feel easier and helps you focus on solving questions, not on what to do next.

A strong attempt strategy is very important. It stops you from wasting time or getting stuck on a single question. It also helps you get consistent scores in your mocks and, most importantly, in the final CAT exam.

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Right Way to Attempt the Quantitative Aptitude Section in CAT 2026 by IIM Topper

Now, let's examine two primary strategies for tackling the CAT QA section. We will also cover how to avoid getting stuck, which is a common problem.

Strategy 1: Scan and Attempt

This method is popular among most toppers. It involves distributing your time smartly across the 40 minutes.

Time Frame	Step	Description	Purpose/Outcome
First 3–4 Minutes	Skim and Mark	Quickly go through all 22 questions and categorise them as easy, moderate, or hard. Identify familiar or unusual questions.	Helps plan your attempt strategy and prioritise questions efficiently.
Next 10 Minutes	Solve Easy Questions	Focus only on solving the easy questions you marked earlier.  Aim to solve 6–7 questions during this stage.	Builds confidence, saves time, and helps secure the basic sectional cutoff.
Next 20–22 Minutes	Tackle Moderate Questions	Move on to the moderate-level questions and solve them systematically.	Maximises your score through steady progress on mid-difficulty problems.
Last 5–6 Minutes	Revisit or Try New Questions	Revisit questions you struggled with earlier or attempt one or two harder ones if time allows.	May trigger “Eureka moments” and help capture extra marks through fresh insights.

Strategy 2: Attempt and Move On

This strategy is a personal favourite for some, including the expert sharing these tips, because it is simpler.

Step	Description	Key Insight	Risk/Consideration
Go Through All the  Questions	Start from Question 1 and continue sequentially till Question 22 without doing any initial skimming.	Keep your approach systematic and straightforward to save time on selection.	May lead to getting stuck on a tough question early on.
Solve as You Go	Attempt each question in the given order as you progress through the section.	Ensures continuous focus and straightforward decision-making.	Can disrupt your rhythm if a question takes too long to solve.
Overall Strategy Note	This method is favoured by some toppers for its simplicity and minimal switching between questions.	Emphasises staying consistent and calm throughout the section.	Risk of time mismanagement if not monitored carefully.

While this method is straightforward, there is a higher chance of getting stuck on a question. Both strategies carry this risk, so it is crucial to know how to handle it.

The Hard Stop Rule: Avoid Getting Stuck

No matter which strategy you use, this rule is vital:

Rule	Description	Purpose	Key Takeaway
Leave Questions You Don’t Understand	If a question makes no sense after reading it once, skip it without hesitation.	Saves valuable time and mental energy for solvable questions.	Focus on maximising attempts, not wrestling with unclear problems.
The 3-Minute Hard Stop	If you cannot solve a question or make meaningful progress within 3 minutes, stop and move on. You can revisit it in the last 5–6 minutes if time permits.	Prevents time loss on single questions and ensures steady progress through the section.	Always prioritise easier questions to build momentum and improve accuracy.

Right Way to Attempt the Quantitative Aptitude Section in CAT 2026: Know Your Basics

Before diving into specific strategies, you need to understand two key things. These basics will give you a clear view of how to approach the QA section.

Your Strengths and Weaknesses

You must know which topics you are good at and which ones challenge you. The main topics in Quantitative Aptitude include:

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Modern Math

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses helps you make better decisions during the exam. This knowledge gives you a personal perspective when you face the paper.

Types of Questions in CAT QA Section

Every CAT paper includes three types of questions: easy, moderate, and hard. The exam creators design the paper this way every year.

Question Level	Description	Time to Solve	Characteristics
Easy Questions ✅	Most people can solve these. Usually takes less than 2 minutes. Often, straightforward or known methods are used.	⏱️ Less than 2 minutes	🧩 Simple, direct, minimal thinking needed
Moderate Questions ⚠️	The solution path is visible, but it takes longer to reach the answer.	⏳ More time than easy	🤔 Requires more steps or deeper thinking
Hard Questions ❌	Designed to trick or confuse. Involves complex calculations or unfamiliar concepts.	⏳ Varies, often longer	🧠 Complex, "out of the box," may cause confusion or doubt

Right Way to Attempt the QA in CAT 2026: Key Rules for Facing Questions

From understanding these question types, two essential rules stand out:

Rule 1: Never Assume a Question Before Reading It	Rule 2: Never Get Stuck on One Question
❌Do not judge a question’s difficulty by the topic or your comfort zone.  ✅Always read it before skipping.	✅Avoid spending more than 6–7 minutes on any single question.  ✅Move on if progress stalls.
Example: A geometry question might turn out to be simpler than a tough arithmetic one.	Example: In 7 minutes, you could solve 3–4 easy questions worth 9–12 marks.
Purpose: Helps you identify unexpectedly easy questions and boosts overall accuracy.	Purpose: Prevents time wastage and helps maintain speed and momentum.
Outcome: Better judgment across topics and higher attempt accuracy.	Outcome: Sustained flow throughout the section and a higher percentile score.

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The Power of Accuracy in CAT QA: Score 99+ Percentile

Accuracy is the most important thing in the CAT QA section. Let's look at some numbers to understand why.

In CAT 2026, if you attempted 15 questions with 90% accuracy, you would get around 40 marks. This score would likely place it in the 99th percentile. 

However, if you attempted the same 15 questions with only 70% accuracy (meaning 10 correct and 5 incorrect), your score would be around 25 marks.

Since CAT uses a +3 for correct and -1 for incorrect answers, those 5 incorrect answers cost you a lot. A score of 25 typically corresponds to the 90th percentile.

Look at the difference: a small change in accuracy makes a huge difference in your percentile. The ideal number of attempts is usually 16-17 questions, depending on the paper's difficulty. If you can answer 15-16 questions with 85-90% accuracy, you will clear the QA section with a 99th percentile.

The "Brahmastra" for CAT Quant Section 2026

Here is the ultimate tip for CAT Quantitative Aptitude:

✅Solve all easy and moderate questions with an accuracy of around 85-90% and completely skip the hard questions.

✅If you follow this advice, nothing will stop you from achieving a 99+ percentile in the Quant section.

 This method works every year. It shows why your attempt strategy is so important.

How to Improve Speed and Accuracy in CAT QA Section?

Here are the ways to improve your CAT QA speed and accuracy for the final day exam:

1. Find Your Ideal Method

After trying these strategies in three to four mock tests, you will discover what works best for you. 

This might be the Scan and Attempt method, the Attempt and Move On method, or a combination of both. You will figure out how you want to solve the 40-minute section.

2. Practice, Practice and Practice Consistently

Once you have your strategy, take at least 10 full-length mocks and 10 sectional tests. This practice helps you get used to your method.

 By the time you reach the actual CAT exam, you will have formed a habit. Even if you are stressed on exam day, you will know exactly how to approach the QA section, which will make you feel more at ease.

3. Analysing Your CAT 2026 Mocks: Grow with Every Test

After attempting each mock, you must analyse your performance. This is how you improve:

• Identify Weak Areas: See which topics you are not good at or need more practice with.
• Understand Mistakes: For every wrong answer, ask yourself:
  • Was it a silly mistake?
  • Did I forget a concept or formula?
  • Did I not know the concept at all?
  • Was it an "out-of-the-box" question?
• Check Time Management:
  • Did I get stuck on any question?
  • How much time did I spend on each question?
  • How much time did I spend on questions from strong topics versus weak or hard topics?

This deep analysis helps you learn and improve with each mock test. By consistently getting better, your scores will go up. Trust this process, and you will achieve your target score in CAT 2025.

Conclusion

On the actual CAT exam day, you will likely feel some stress. But if you have practised your strategy well, you will feel prepared. Here is the simple process:

• Figure out a strategy to attempt.
• Practice this strategy in many mock tests.
• Use this strategy for your final CAT 2026 exam.

Remember, smart attempts are more important than many attempts. Keep this thought in mind as you prepare.